Cushioning device



Dec. 23, 1941. .1.-T.. BALDWIN cUsHIoNING DEVICE Filed June 1'7, 1940 ATTORNEYS WITNESS Patented Dec. 23, 1941 CUSHIONING DEVICE John T. Baldwin, Chattanooga, Tenn., assignor'oi one-half to John B. Walker, Chattanooga,

Tenn.

Application llune 17, 1940, Serial No. A341,035

s claims. (ci. 1284165) 'I'his invention relates to cushioning devices, and its general object is to provide a pneumatic device that may be in the form of a legging to be worn with suitable open frame like bracing means on a broken portion for protection of the latter while the bone is knitting, thus eliminating the use of a plaster cast and the disadvantageous features accompanying the latter, as my device not only expands in the event of swelling and prevents undue pressure to eliminate congestion which causes swelling, but allows for free passage of air about the affected area, thus eliminating skin infection that generally occurs when a cast is used, with the result it will be seen that my device makesv the patient as comfortable as possible and materially expedites recovery.

Another object is to provide a pneumatic cushioning device that may be in the form of al sleeve for use on a broken arm or the like.

A further object is to provide a cushioning device that can be inflated and includes venti- `lating passages and hollow air receiving teat like projections for spacing the major portion of the device from the affected area to bring about complete ventilation thereof.

A still further object is to provide a cushioning device of the character set forth, that can. be

easily and expeditiously applied and removed with respect to the affected area but casual removal or displacement when inflated is practically impossible.

Another object is to provide a pneumatic cushioning device that preferably includes a pair of separable sections and insert sections may be provided to increase the diametrical size of the device.

A still further object is to provide a device of the character set forth, thatiis simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and ex- Vwherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of my cushioning device constructed in the form of a legging.'

Figure 2 is a rear view thereof.

views, and

noted that my device is shown in the form. of a vlegging for use upon a broken leg and for disposal between the latter and suitable open frame bracing means not shown, but it is to be understood that the device can be made in other forms, for use on arms and other parts of'the person, as well as for other purposes.

In any event, the'form shown in Figures 1 to 5 includes a pair of elongated companion outside and' inside sectionsA and 2v respectively, thatare substantially identical and of a length ,to extend from the hip to the footof the wearer,

as well as shaped for fitting the leg'throughout its length, as shown in Figure 3. YOne ofthe sections has a row of reinforced openings or eyelets 3 adjacent to and along'the frontl Vedge thereof, and the other section has. a row of hooks 4 adjacent to and along its front edge for receiving a lace. 5 threaded through the openings 3 and xed at its ends'to the end openings, for detachably connecting .the sections together along the front of the legging, while the rear edges of the sections are connected -together by a slide fastener 6. However," other types of fastening means may be used, -but the types shown appear to. be more appropriate'for ,the purpose.

The sections are made fromsuitable elastic material such as rubber, and each includes'fan outer wall 'l and an inner wall l8, vulcanized or otherwise secured together rat the upper, lower' and side edgesito provide an airtight chamber -9 forfreceiving air. to inflate the sections to fany desired pressure. The air is introduced into the chamber of the outside section l through a normally closed valve including a stem Il) extending from the upper end of the section l and the air is passed from the latter chamber to the chamber of the inside section 2 by a by-pass that includes an arcuate tube l I for each section, and the tubes are joined by a coupling collar Y I2, thus allowing complete separation of the sections, as will be apparent.

The walls are relatively thick and the inner walls 8 have formed on their outer faces to extend outwardly therefrom, in equi-distantly spaced relation, rows of hollow rounded teat like projections I3 opening into the chambers to receive air therefrom, the walls of the projections I3 being relatively thin for maximum cushioning action and from Figure 4, it will be noted that the projections space the walls 8 from the affected area of the wearer. The sections have Ventilating passages I4 therethrough and which are provided by hollow cylindrical members formed on the walls 6 and 1 for disposal between the same. The passages I4 are arranged in rows between the rows of projections, as best shown in Figure 5, and the passages open through the walls 1 and 8, but of course are closed to the chambers, as shown in Figure 4. From that construction, it will be obvious that free circulation of air is provided between the device and the aiected area of the wearer, thereby adding materially to the comfort of the wearer and tending to expedite recovery.

In order to hold the device against rotation and creeping upwardly on the limb, I provide a foot strap I5 having one end xed to the lower end of the inside section 2, and the opposite end portion of the strap is received by a buckle I6 secured to the lower end of the outside section I, in the form shown.

In Figure 6, it will be noted that I have made provision for increasing the diametrical size of vthe device and for that purpose an insert section I1 is connected between and throughout the length of the companion Sections I and 2 by slide fasteners I8, the insert section` being likewise provided With inner and outer walls secured at their ends and sides, to provide an airtight chamber within which air is introduced by a T-shaped tube I9 detachably connected to the tubes II by coupling collars 2D similar to the collar I2. The tubes II' and I9, may be formed from hard rubber or the like or soft rubber, and in the latter event the collar receiving ends thereof are capped with suitable threaded means for receiving the collars.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. `A cushioning device in the form of a legging for use on a broken limb or the like, comprising a pair of companion outside and inside sections, r

means for detachably connecting the sections together for disposal about the limb, each section including an inner wall and an outer wall of elastic material having their edges secured together to provide an airtight chamber, means for introducing air within the chamber of one section, by-pass means for the passage of air from the latter chamber to the chamber of the other section, hollow projections extending outwardly from the inner wall of each of the sections to space the inner walls from the limb to allow circulation of air between the device and the limb, said projections opening into the chambers, the walls of each section having ventilating passages between the same, and said passages being closed to the chamber and opening through said walls.

2. A cushioning device in the form of a legging for use on a broken limb or the like, comprising a pair of elongated companion outside and inside sections, means for lacing the front edges of the sections together, a slide fastener for connecting the rear side edges of the sections together for disposal thereof in surrounding relation about the limb, each section including an inner wall andan outer wall of lelastic material having their edges secured together to provide an airtight chamber. means for introducing air within the chamber of one section, a tube for each section and communicating with the chamber thereof, a coupling collar connecting the tubes together for the passage of air from the chamber of the section having the air introducing means thereon to the chamber of the other section, hollow projections extending outwardly from the inner Wall of each section to space the inner walls from the limb to allow circulation of air between the device and the limb, and said projections opening into the chambers, and the walls of each section having Ventilating passages between the same and opening therethrough.

3. A cushioning device in the form of a legging for use on a broken limb or the like, comprising a pair of elongated companion outside and inside sections, means for detachably connecting one side edge of each section together, an insert section detachably connected to and between the other side edges of the companion sections for increasing the diametrical size of the device, each section including an inner wall and an outer wall of elastic material having their edges secured together to provide an airtight chamber, means for introducing air within the chamber of one of Isaid companion sections, tubes communicating with the chambers of said companion sections, a substantially T-shaped tube communicating with the chamber of the insert section, coupling collars connecting the T-shaped tube to the tubes first mentioned for the passage of air to the chambers of the insert section and the other companion section, hollow projections extending outwardly from the inner wall of each section to space the walls from the limb to allow circulation of air between the device and the limb, said projections opening into the chambers, the walls of each section having Ventilating passages between the same, and said passages being closed to the chamber and opening throughsaid walls.

JOHN T. BALDWIN. 

